Pharmacogenetic-guided psychiatric intervention associated with increased adherence to treatment and cost savings.
Depression and other psychiatric illnesses have substantial costs in human and financial terms, accounting for 4 of the top 10 causes of disability worldwide.
In USA it is extimated that mental health disorders account for 6.2% of the nation´s healthcare spendings. A major driver of depression costs is treatment-resistant depression (TRD), defined as failure to reach symptomatic remission despite at least 2 adequate treatment trails. An estimated two-thirds of patients with depression will not respond to first-line treatment resistant.
These individuals pose a striking cost burden, approximately 40% higher, compared with patients without TRD. Data show the utility of pharmacogenetic testing in everyday psychiatric clinical practice, as it can lead to improved patient adherence and decreased healthcare costs.
Fagerness et al. Pharmacgenetic-guided Psychiatric Intervention Associated with Increased Adherence and Cost Savinge. Am J Manag Care. 2014; 20(5):e 146-e156
